After his failure to qualify for next year’s World Cup, Giovanni Trapattoni vacated the post in mid-September by mutual consent, although his contract with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) ran until May 2014.

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O’Neill, though born in Kilrea, Northern Ireland, will look to rebuild a side that succeeded in making it to Euro 2012 but could only manage a fourth-place finish behind Germany, Sweden and Austria in their World Cup qualification group.

The 61-year-old would be heading into his first national team position having been dismissed from his last job at Sunderland on the back of eight results without a victory.

According to BBC Sport's Pat Murphy, O'Neill is prepared to make his move into international management and the Keane appointment is one that will fit the players:

Working with Keane intrigues him. He contacted Keane and was encouraged by his enthusiastic response.

The Ireland players will have idolised Keane as youngsters and O'Neill will be a popular appointment in Ireland, given his success at Celtic a decade ago.

According to a recent report by the Belfast Telegraph, betting was suspended on O’Neill being appointed as the Republic boss, beating the likes of former manager Mick McCarthy to the role.

Is O'Neill the right appointment for the Republic of Ireland?

Yes, he'll get back to his best in Dublin.No, there were other, more suitable names (comment below).Submit Votevote to see results

Is O'Neill the right appointment for the Republic of Ireland?

Yes, he'll get back to his best in Dublin.

89.8%

No, there were other, more suitable names (comment below).

10.2%

Total votes: 500

O’Neill made more than 60 appearances for Northern Ireland during a 13-year international career across the 1970s and early ‘80s, and will now take charge of the team for the November friendlies against Latvia and Poland.

In a managerial career now spanning more than 25 years, the Green Army’s latest helmsman comes into the position having managed three Premier League clubs: Leicester City, Aston Villa and the aforementioned Black Cats.

However, it was at the Stadium of Light that O’Neill produced his worst league game-winning percentage of just 29.1 percent, according to MSN’s Lee Harvey.

The veteran can only hope that he prospers more at the Aviva Stadium, but by no means would O’Neill be taking on an easy task.